236 IRREGULAR PELORIA. 
therefore to a certain extent in a rudimentary state ; 
the pistil is curved towards the perfect nectary, and 
the hood formed of the inner petals slips off the pistil 

Fig. 125.—Section through two-spurred flowers of Corydalis. Magnified. 
and stamens in one direction alone, so that when a bee 
sucks the perfect nectary the stigma and stamens are 
exposed and rubbed against the imsect’s body. In 
several closely allied genera, as in Dielytra, there are 
two perfect nectaries ; the pistil is straight, and the 
hood slips off on either side, according as the bee sucks 
either nectary.” In the flowers of Corydalis, which 
were provided with two perfect nectaries contaiing 
nectar, Mr. Darwin considers that there has been a 
redevelopment of a partially aborted organ, accom- 
panied by a change in the direction of the pistil, which 
becomes straight, while the hood formed by the petals 
slips off in either direction, “so that these flowers 
have acquired the perfect structure, so well adapted 
for insect agency, of Dielytra and its allies.” 
Peloria, then, is especially interesting physiologically 
as well as morphologically; it is also of value in a 
systematic point of view, as showing how closely the 
